NBA legend Tim Hardaway Sr. will coach Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher in the annual Rising Stars Challenge at the NBA’s All-Star weekend. The Hall of Famer drafted Risacher with his fifth pick on Tuesday afternoon.
The annual showcase features the NBA’s top rookies, sophomores and G League players. They will play a mini-tournament with four teams and three games, and the Rising Stars champion will earn a spot to play in the 2025 NBA All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 16.
The player pool consisted of 10 rookies, 11 second-year players and seven G League players.
Hardaway Sr. along with Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond drafted from the 21 NBA player pool. Jeremy Lin will coach the seven G League players selected by the league.
During the draft process, Hardaway Sr. mentioned that Risacher caught his eye during the Hawks’ matchup against the Pistons. His son Tim Hardaway Jr. plays for the Pistons and Hardaway Sr. said he came away impressed.
In the Hawks’ win over the Pistons on Monday, Risacher scored 17 points, had three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Hardaway Sr. selected six other players to round out his team. Here’s the full roster for Team T.
- Cason Wallace (Guard | Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Frontcourt | Miami Heat)
- Gradey Dick (Guard | Toronto Raptors)
- Anthony Black (Guard | Orlando Magic)*
- Zaccharie Risacher (Frontcourt | Atlanta Hawks)
- Alex Sarr (Frontcourt | Washington Wizards)
- Tristan da Silva (Frontcourt | Orlando Magic)
The remaining teams include:
Team M
Honorary coach = Mitch Richmond
- Amen Thompson (Guard | Houston Rockets)
- Ausar Thompson (Frontcourt | Detroit Pistons)*
- Bilal Coulibaly (Guard | Washington Wizards)
- Scoot Henderson (Guard | Portland Trail Blazers)
- Toumani Camara (Frontcourt | Portland Trail Blazers)*
- Yves Missi (Frontcourt | New Orleans Pelicans)
- Bub Carrington (Guard | Washington Wizards)
Team C
Honorary coach = Chris Mullin
- Stephon Castle (Guard | San Antonio Spurs)
- Dalton Knecht (Guard | Los Angeles Lakers)
- Jaylen Wells (Guard | Memphis Grizzlies)
- Keyonte George (Guard | Utah Jazz)
- Zach Edey (Frontcourt | Memphis Grizzlies)
- Trayce Jackson-Davis (Frontcourt | Golden State Warriors)
- Ryan Dunn (Frontcourt | Phoenix Suns)*
Team G League
Honorary coach = Jeremy Lin
- JD Davison (Maine Celtics)
- Mac McClung (Osceola Magic)
- Bryce McGowens (Rip City Remix)
- Leonard Miller (Iowa Wolves)
- Dink Pate (Mexico City Capitanes)
- Reed Sheppard (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)
- Pat Spencer (Santa Cruz Warriors)
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